QUICK NEWS, May 6: ARIZONA IMPOSES PROPERTY TAX ON LEASED SOLAR; CAPE WIND GETS FINAL(?) LEGAL WIN; A/C AND SOLAR – A MATCH MADE IN SUMMER

ARIZONA IMPOSES PROPERTY TAX ON LEASED SOLAR Leased solar panels are facing property taxes

Ryan Randazzo, April 26, 2014 (Arizona Republic)

“Thousands of Arizonans who lease solar panels could start paying property taxes on those solar panels next year because of a new interpretation of state law…Major rooftop-solar companies such as Sunrun Inc. and SolarCity Corp. fought but failed to change the interpretation through a proposal at the Legislature…Solar leasing companies, which control the majority of new rooftop installations in Arizona, vow to fight the taxes in court if necessary to prevent their [residential] customers from paying an estimated $152 a year in taxes…Schools and non-profit groups also often lease solar panels because they can't use the federal tax credits that make solar attractive. The tax liability of larger arrays can run thousands of dollars annually…People who own household solar panels are exempted from property taxes…[Leasors and leasees] assumed the same exemption applied…[But] the Arizona Department of Revenue last year interpreted that law to mean…[leased panels] are more like merchant power plants…[The solar industry] now plans to challenge the Department of Revenue…[Solar advocates say Gov. (Jan) Brewer must interpret the law’s ambiguity in defense of Arizona taxpayers but] Brewer's office declined to comment…APS favors the tax [and an aligned group says there is no ambiguity]…” click here for more

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CAPE WIND GETS FINAL(?) LEGAL WIN Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit that Challenged Cape Wind; Suit on NSTAR Power Purchase Agreement Becomes 26th Failed Legal Attempt of Project Opponents

May 3, 2014 (Cape Wind)

"Cape Wind once again has defeated the latest efforts of opponents to block America's first offshore wind farm. Federal Judge Richard Stearns…[dismissed a lawsuit] which challenged Cape Wind's Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with NSTAR…[and] rejected all claims against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, NSTAR and Cape Wind…Judge Stearns noted in his decision that the lawsuit would violate the 11th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States that gives states immunity from being sued for past actions in Federal Court. Judge Stearns also…[called the premise of the lawsuit] misleading and ultimately untrue…[and said] ‘ There comes a point at which the right to litigate can become a vexatious abuse of the democratic process…’ Bill Koch, Chairman and largest funder of the opposition group, and a coal and petroleum coke billionaire, has stated publicly that his organization's strategy is ‘delay, delay, delay’ and…[this is his] 26th failed legal action…” click here for more

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A/C AND SOLAR – A MATCH MADE IN SUMMER SolarCity Teams With Carrier to Offer Affordable, Solar-Powered Air Conditioning; Companies Collaborate to Make the More Sustainable, Efficient Heating and Cooling Options Also the More Affordable Ones

May 5, 2014 (Carrier-SolarCity)

“…SolarCity and Carrier are teaming up to make high-efficiency, solar-powered heating and cooling solutions far more accessible and affordable for homeowners…[They] will provide Carrier customers the option to lower their energy costs by powering their heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems with solar electricity that costs less than utility power rates. The cost savings that customers realize by using solar power and more efficient HVAC help to offset the costs of switching to a cleaner, more comfortable indoor air solution…Homeowners can receive a $1,000 rebate on Carrier equipment from participating Carrier dealers by going solar with SolarCity. The rebate can be applied to furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, packaged units, ductless systems or entire system upgrades, upon operation of the homeowner's SolarCity system…” click here for more

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